Vaping Apparatus and Methods

ABSTRACT

A portable vapor inhalation unit, and associated components and methods, which includes some or all of:Powered iris adjustment to hold and seal to vapor source cartridges of various diameters;A cartridge receiver which, under control from the user, can be translated to protrude from the body of the unit, or retracted into the body of the unit; and/orA compact display having a screen cover to which a user can apply pressure along at least two axes.

CROSS-REFERENCE

Priority is claimed from U.S. 62/988,668 (filed Mar. 12, 2020), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to consumer usable vapor inhalation, and more particularly to machines and methods for “vaping.”

Note that the points discussed below may reflect the hindsight gained from the disclosed inventions, and are not necessarily admitted to be prior art.

An electronic cigarette is an electronic device that simulates tobacco smoking. It typically includes an atomizer, a power source such as a battery, and a container such as a cartridge or tank. Instead of smoke, the user inhales vapor (which in some cases may also contain particulates). As such, using an e-cigarette is often called “vaping”. The atomizer is a heating element that atomizes a liquid solution called e-liquid. E-cigarettes are typically activated by taking a puff or pressing a button. Some look like traditional cigarettes, and most versions are reusable.

E-cigarettes create an aerosol, commonly called vapor, made of particulate matter. The vapor may contain e.g. propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine, flavors, etc.

Vaping apparatus can be configured, for example, as disposable e-cigarettes, rechargeable e-cigarettes, medium- or large-size tank devices, e-cigars, or e-pipes. Many atomizers differ in technology, from exposed atomizers to those embedded in various materials and forms. This is done to optimize for the type of substance that will be vaporized from dry, liquid (water-soluble and fat-soluble), and in between.

The cartridges used for vaping do not have a standard diameter, and can vary from 10mm or less to as high as 15mm, and may be bigger now or in the future. Known vaping units have used a manual adjustment to accommodate this variation in diameter.

Vaping Apparatus and Methods

The present application teaches, among other innovations, portable vapor inhalation units which include:

-   -   a. Powered iris adjustment to fit source cartridges of various         diameters. Most preferably this is done by a motor which is         activated by direct input from the user.     -   b. A cartridge receiver which, under control from the user, can         be translated to protrude from the body of the unit, or         retracted into the body of the unit; and/or     -   c. A compact display having a screen cover to which a user can         apply pressure along at least two axes.

All of these points can be advantageously combined, and that is the preferred synergistic combination. However, each of these points confers its own advantages, and each is believed to be new.

Vaping is unpopular in some places, even though not illegal nor forbidden. Thus, a particular advantage of (some, all, or combinations of) the disclosed inventions is the discretion which is now possible with use of the improved vaping unit.

A further advantage of the disclosed inventions is that the cartridge is given greater protection for in-pocket carry by being retracted into the body of the vaping unit when not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed inventions will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show important sample embodiments and which are incorporated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a vaping unit according to the present inventions.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of one sample embodiment.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, and 3G show various views of one sample embodiment of the present inventions.

FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of one sample embodiment of the present inventions.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show an all-in-one interface in action according to the instant inventions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to presently preferred embodiments (by way of example, and not of limitation). The present application describes several inventions, and none of the statements below should be taken as limiting the claims generally.

Iris:

FIG. 1 shows vaping unit 100 according to one sample embodiment of the present inventions. Iris 105 opens and closes to adjust to the outside diameter of cartridge 103 to accommodate different cartridge sizes.

In presently-preferred sample embodiments, iris 105 closes around cartridge 103 using eight curved blades (shown in FIG. 2 as blades 217). These eight blades allow iris 105 to make a substantially perfect circular opening with no gaps between iris blades 217 and cartridge 103. However, the blades can vary in curvature (including to straight, i.e. uncurved, blades), in thickness, and in material, to give desired results. These features of iris blades 217 allow for a safer hold on cartridge 103 by allowing even distribution of tension or shock to be translated to a larger area by matching the curvature of the outside diameter of cartridge 103. The hold between cartridge 103 and iris 105 prevents cartridge 103 from moving and causing damage to cartridge 103. The hold can be constant resistant or fixed or periodic or automatic.

Cartridge Movement:

Motorized lifting and lowering of cartridge connecter 209 permits (inter alia) easy accessibility to cartridge connecter 209 when in the uppermost position. (This removes the need for the commonly used magnetic ring coupler to 510 cartridge thread that screws on to a 510 cartridge and then magnetically connects to the concealed style 510 battery.) Cartridge 103 can be lowered for concealment or simply according to a user's preference.

Tactile Screen/Directional Interface:

All-in-one interface 107 combines control over the height of cartridge 103, control of iris 105, and overall control of device operation. In most-presently-preferred embodiments, all-in-one interface 107 comprises an LCD screen mounted on a center-press joystick. By moving interface 107 up or down, the position of cartridge 103 is adjusted in the corresponding direction. By moving interface 107 left or right, iris 105 loosens or tightens, respectively, around cartridge 103. These intuitive directions simplify device operation.

In addition, pressing interface 107 five times in a row turns the device on or off, as is standard in the industry. In some sample embodiments, three consecutive presses of interface 107 can bring up a settings or options menu on the LCD screen on interface 107. The LCD screen can also display e.g. analytics such as temperature, number of hits, and other industry-standard vaping metrics.

USB

Most preferably, USB 211 is primarily used to charge vape 100. However, USB port 211 can also be used for updating and customizing the LCD interface. USB 211 is surface mounted to PCB 241. As seen in FIG. 3E, USB port 311 is has a cut out on right in front of it in the side of bottom housing 255 for easy access.

Appearance and Shape:

The curved vent cut outs on both sides of grip 245A and 245B serve several purposes: making the device appear to have a curved back handle; permitting a user's fingers to rest comfortably; providing traction for better control of the whole device; and better friction hold.

Iris Inputs:

FIG. 5B shows how moving screen cover 235 left or right moves connected mount 233.

Mount 233 holds LCD 231. Mount 233 is attached to, and moves, magnetic sensor joystick post 229. Joystick post 229 converts the physical movement to digital information then sends that information to PCB 241. Then PCB 241 sends power from battery 247 to motor 225. Motor 225 rotates driver gear 223 at the end of the rotation output shaft of motor 225.

The teeth of driver gear 223 are mashed with the teeth of iris rotator driven gear 221 that is coupled to iris rotator ring 219. Each of driver gear 223, iris rotator driven gear 221, and iris rotator ring 219 is driven by the one before it, and all are powered by motor 225.

The upward-facing portion of iris rotator ring 219 has eight holes that seat pins on the bottom of the lowest-facing portion of iris blades 217. Similar pins on the highest opposite end of upward-facing portion of iris blades 217 travel linearly from the center radius of the opening in either direction, guided by fixed slots on top housing 213. When iris rotator ring 219 rotates, it causes the pins on the bottom facing portion of iris blades 217 to rotate around in the holds on iris rotator ring 219 and rotate around the opening. This simultaneously causes the pins on the opposite end of the upper facing portion of iris blades 217 to travel linearly along the center radius point of the opening, along the internal radius of the opening in either direction, guided by fixed slots on top housing 213. This causes all of blades 217 to simultaneously move in or out of the center of the opening, thus opening or closing iris 105.

Cartridge Movement:

FIG. 5A shows how moving screen cover 235 up or down moves mount 233. As a result, this sends power to motor 243 to turn spiral gear 251. To minimize friction shaft bushing 253 is placed between spiral gear 251 and bottom housing 255. The teeth of linear gear pin 239 are mashed with the teeth of spiral gear 251. Linear gear pin 239 is attached to linear moving base 237.

Also attached to linear moving base 237 is cartridge connecter 209 to move cartridge 103.

Linear guide rod 249 helps increase the stability, both when stopped and when moving, of linear moving base 237 by way of a three sided linear friction bearing built into linear moving base 237.

Initiate Vapor:

FIG. 5C shows initiating vapor by pressing on screen cover 235, causing power to be sent to threaded cartridge connecter 209, and thereby through to cartridge 103. This causes the heating element in cartridge 103 to initiate heating. Soon after the heat starts to vaporize the contents of cartridge 103.

In presently-preferred embodiments, bottom housing 255 has corresponding lip grooves to top housing 213 and vice versa, as well as a piece that sticks out from top housing 213 that slips into a 3 sided slot on bottom housing 255 for a better-sealed enclosure.

To prevent the iris from crushing the cartridge, the iris stops on the diameter of the cartridge.

1. Current Limit Switches, Overload Protector used for overcurrent protection, short circuit protection, motor blocked protection, auto-stop overload protection. 2. A stepper motor, also known as a step motor or stepping motor, is a brushless DC electric motor that divides a full rotation into a number of equal steps. The motor's position can then be commanded to move and hold at one of these steps without any position sensor for feedback (an open-loop controller), as long as the motor is carefully sized to the application in respect to torque and speed. 3. Position sensors, rotary, linear, magnetic, and friction encoder. Also, the limit switch. 4. Detect when linear moving base 237 for cartridge connector 209 is fully raised or lowered, and shut off the motor once a certain position is reached.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, and 3G show various views of one sample embodiment of the present inventions.

FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of one sample embodiment of the present inventions.

Advantages

The disclosed innovations, in various embodiments, provide one or more of at least the following advantages. However, not all of these advantages result from every one of the innovations disclosed, and this list of advantages does not limit the various claimed inventions.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising: a body; a first powered mechanism which is operatively connected to selectably grasp and release a vapor source cartridge; a second powered mechanism which is operatively connected to selectably retract the vapor source cartridge into the body, or protrude the vapor source cartridge from the body; one or more batteries, operatively connected to power the first and second mechanisms; and a user-operated control input which causes operation of the first and second mechanisms.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising a body, and: a first mechanism which is operatively connected to selectably grasp and release a vapor source cartridge of unknown diameter; a second mechanism which is operatively connected to shift the position of the cartridge with respect to the body; a power source which provides electrical power to the first and second mechanisms; and a control input which allows the user to operate both the first and second mechanisms independently through a single control input with at least two degrees of freedom.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising: a body; powered grasping means for holding a vapor source cartridge; protrusion means for powered protrusion and retraction of the cartridge; and control means for manual control of both the grasping means and the protrusion means through a single input having two degrees of freedom.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising a body, and: a powered iris which is operatively connected to selectably grasp and release a vapor source cartridge of unknown diameter; a battery which provides electrical power to operate the powered iris; and a control input which allows the user to control operation of the iris.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising a body, with a mount for an insertable vapor source cartridge, and: a retraction mechanism which is operatively connected to shift the position of the cartridge with respect to the body; a battery which provides electrical power to operate the retraction mechanism; and a control input which allows the user to control operation of the retraction mechanism.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising a body, with a mount for an insertable vapor source cartridge, and: multiple powered subsystems which perform operations for vaping; a battery connection which routes electrical power to operate the powered subsystems; and a control input which has at least two degrees of freedom, and allows the user to control operation of the different powered subsystems independently.

According to some but not necessarily all embodiments, there is provided: A portable vapor inhalation unit, and associated components and methods, which includes some or all of: powered iris adjustment to hold and seal to vapor source cartridges of various diameters; a cartridge receiver which, under control from the user, can be translated to protrude from the body of the unit, or retracted into the body of the unit; and/or a compact display having a screen cover to which a user can apply pressure along at least two axes.

Modifications and Variations

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the innovative concepts described in the present application can be modified and varied over a tremendous range of applications, and accordingly the scope of patented subject matter is not limited by any of the specific exemplary teachings given. It is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

In some sample embodiments, a touchscreen, capacitive, resistive, sensor, and/or button can be used in place of the all-in-one interface and LCD screen taught herein.

In some presently-preferred sample embodiments, segmented tips 215 are primarily cosmetic. In other embodiments, this can be different.

While the sample embodiments shown herein use 510 cartridges and associated cartridge connectors, this is due to their present popularity, and should not be considered to limit the present inventions.

In some sample embodiments, the all-in-one interface has no moving parts, and instead uses a touchscreen with directional base inputs.

In some sample embodiments, the powered means for holding a vapor source cartridge comprises a powered iris according to the present inventions.

In some sample embodiments, the protrusion means for powered protrusion and retraction of the cartridge comprises a linear moving base, cartridge connector, and associated assembly according to the present inventions.

In some sample embodiments, the control means for manual control of both the grasping means and the protrusion means through a single input having two degrees of freedom comprises an all-in-one interface according to the present inventions.

None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope: THE SCOPE OF PATENTED SUBJECT MATTER IS DEFINED ONLY BY THE ALLOWED CLAIMS. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC section 112 unless the exact words “means for” are followed by a participle.

Those of ordinary skill in the relevant fields of art will recognize that other inventive concepts may also be directly or inferentially disclosed in the foregoing. NO inventions are disclaimed. The claims as filed are intended to be as comprehensive as possible, and NO subject matter is intentionally relinquished, dedicated, or abandoned. 

1. A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising: a body; a first powered mechanism which is operatively connected to selectably grasp and release a vapor source cartridge; a second powered mechanism which is operatively connected to selectably retract the vapor source cartridge into the body, or protrude the vapor source cartridge from the body; one or more batteries, operatively connected to power the first and second mechanisms; and a user-operated control input which causes operation of the first and second mechanisms.
 2. The portable vapor inhalation unit of claim 1, wherein the user-operated control input is a single two-dimensional input.
 3. The portable vapor inhalation unit of claim 1, wherein the user-operated control input is a single two-dimensional button input.
 4. The portable vapor inhalation unit of claim 1, wherein the user-operated control input is a single two-dimensional button input which overlies a display.
 5. A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising a body, and: a first mechanism which is operatively connected to selectably grasp and release a vapor source cartridge of unknown diameter; a second mechanism which is operatively connected to shift the position of the cartridge with respect to the body; a power source which provides electrical power to the first and second mechanisms; and a control input which allows the user to operate both the first and second mechanisms independently through a single control input with at least two degrees of freedom.
 6. The portable vapor inhalation unit of claim 5, wherein said single control input also includes a button.
 7. The portable vapor inhalation unit of claim 5, wherein said single control input overlies a display.
 8. The portable vapor inhalation unit of claim 5, wherein the power source is a battery.
 9. A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising: a body; powered grasping means for holding a vapor source cartridge; protrusion means for powered protrusion and retraction of the cartridge; and control means for manual control of both the grasping means and the protrusion means through a single input having two degrees of freedom. 10-12. (canceled)
 13. The vapor inhalation unit of claim 1, wherein the first and second mechanisms are both mounted to the body.
 14. The vapor inhalation unit of claim 1, wherein the first and second mechanisms are both powered by a single battery.
 15. The vapor inhalation unit of claim 5, wherein the first and second mechanisms are both mounted to the body.
 16. The vapor inhalation unit of claim 5, wherein the first and second mechanisms are both powered by a single battery.
 17. The vapor inhalation unit of claim 9, wherein the powered grasping means and the protrusion means are both mounted to the body.
 18. The vapor inhalation unit of claim 9, wherein the powered grasping means and the protrusion means are both powered by a single battery. 